The City of Anna Maria allows nightly short-term rentals but is one of the most aggressively regulated markets in Florida. The city enforces a strict "Vacation Rental Registration" program designed to cap occupancy and noise. Crucial Distinction: This applies to the City of Anna Maria (North End). If you are looking at Holmes Beach (Central), they have a mandatory 7-night minimum stay in most zones. The City of Anna Maria generally allows nightly stays but caps occupancy at 8 people maximum regardless of house size.

Key Requirements

• Vacation Rental Registration (VRR): You must obtain an annual VRR from the city. You cannot list the property until you receive the physical certificate.
• The "8-Person Cap" (Arbitrage Killer): The city generally limits occupancy to 2 per bedroom + 2 additional, with a hard cap of 8 total occupants for most rentals, even if the house is massive. If you rent a 5-bedroom house, you still might be capped at 8 people, limiting your revenue potential.
• Inspections: An annual physical safety inspection is mandatory. You must schedule this via email, and the inspector will check specifically for "hardwired" smoke detectors and NEMA-rated pool safety features.
• Noise: The city has a "Zero Tolerance" noise ordinance. You must post a sign inside stating that quiet hours start at 10:00 PM.

Operational and Safety Standards

• Local Contact: You must designate a "Local Responsible Party" available 24/7 who can respond to complaints within one hour.
• Signage: You must display the City Registration Number and the 24/7 contact number on the exterior of the property.
• Parking: Parking is strictly limited to the driveway/garage. Street parking is prohibited for guests. You must provide a sketch of the parking spots in your application.

Tax Obligations (The "Manual" Tax)

• 1. State Tax (6%): Florida Sales Tax is typically collected by Airbnb/Vrbo.
• 2. Manatee County Tourist Tax (6%): CRITICAL: Manatee County does NOT have an agreement with Airbnb or Vrbo to collect this tax. You must register with the Manatee County Tax Collector and manually remit this 6% every month. Failure to do so is the #1 reason hosts get fined.

Enforcement

• Fines: Operating without a registration or failing to pay the 6% County tax results in daily fines starting at $250–$500.
• "Three Strikes": Three violations (noise, trash, parking) in a rolling 12-month period can result in the revocation of your rental license for a full year.

Summary for Arbitrage

• Pros: High nightly rates; nightly rentals allowed (unlike Holmes Beach).
• Cons: Hard occupancy cap (8 people); strict manual tax requirements; aggressive neighbors/enforcement. Best for smaller, luxury 3-bedroom units rather than large "party" homes.